What’s it Like for a Photographer Shooting on Film on Hawaii’s Big Island?

Shooting on film in Hawaii’s Big island has been quite an adventure for me. When I first arrived, it was incredibly challenging. I didn’t have a lot of clients, and it was too expensive to send my film to the mainland for development.

To adapt, I bought a Pentax 645D, which is a fantastic digital camera with so many features. However, my true passion lies in shooting with the Mamiya RZ 67. Definitely my favorite camera because of how beautifully it handles and the quality of images it produces.

My luck changed when a friend informed me about a darkroom in Hilo. I was ecstatic and couldn’t believe it.

This was the first time I got to develop and print my negatives, and it was truly a learning experience. Thanks to Mike Cupoto for helping me learn this process.

I eventually learned how to process my color film too. Color film is more challenging, and it was extremely time-consuming to get the color mood just right. I develop and print my black and white photos, but I send my color photos to TheFindLab.com or TheDarkroom.com.

Using a local darkroom saved me money and let me enjoy film photography even more. Now, my clientele has increased, and I primarily shoot on film. I love taking photos of beautiful landscapes, people, and events in Hilo and Kona, Hawaii. My favorite thing to do is.